Japanese Shrine Race in Kokubu, Kagoshima! #国分寺御輿 Kokubunji Mikoshi Race 2025 #japanfestival #祭り

The Kokubu Summer Festival is a two day event that consists of parades, dances, music performances, children’s mikoshi, and ends with the mikoshi race.

Men in traditional Japanese clothing and happi coats compete for time by carrying a giant mikoshi (portable shrine) weighing about one ton up and down the road to the finish line about 150 meters away.

The Kokubunji Mikoshi Race marks the end of the Kirishima Kokubun Summer Festival.
Every year, companies, the Self-Defense Forces, and other groups participate.
The mikoshi is the “face” of the festival, and is much looked forward to. It all started with the “passion of young people.”

The mikoshi festival began at the 20th Kokubu Summer Festival (as it was called at the time) in 1994.
The festival was held for two days, with a general dance on the first day and an event on stage on the second day, inviting entertainers and others. It　was effective in attracting visitors and livening up the venue. However, there was something odd about the fact that it was a one-off event and did not have the characteristics of a local summer festival.

About 20 years ago, an organization called the Kokubunji Mikoshi Association was established to develop the mikoshi and support the summer festival.
The members who established the mikoshi and introduced the mikoshi race are also former members of the youth division.

“We want to create a unique festival. We want people to be happy.”
This desire has been carried on to the present day, and every year the festival is livened up with excitement.

#鹿児島 #japaneseculture #travelvlog #japantravel #festival #traditional #shrine #taiko
霧島国分夏まつり

Music: Original Festival Taiko Drummers